Best of Beauty from 2016

Are you ready for this? I am so excited to share this ‘best of beauty’ post with you all. No reviews or talking about “good products” — this is the makeup that I’ve been reaching for all year long. Even when there is a pile of new things to try, I just can’t help myself So grab yourself some coffee, maybe a snack, and let’s dive right in!

Best of Beauty from 2016

Foundations

I know I’ve mentioned this recently in my Sephora VIB / VIB Rouge sale, but in November I repurchased this bottle and realized — once again — why I am always coming back to this foundation. Believe it or not, this makes it my THIRD bottle of this stuff. If that doesn’t speak for itself..what will? I shared an in-depth review back in 2014 when I originally purchased it, but basically it’s a great foundation for the days I want to wear something that looks natural while still covering any redness I have going on. The consistency is nice, the shade range is fantastic, it blends like a dream… Basically, I love everything about it and I’m glad I have it back in my vanity!

Another foundation that I purchased at the beginning of last year…and fell completely in love. I have less than a quarter of product left in this tube and once it is gone I am repurchasing! The coverage is fantastic and I love the matte finish. I find that it holds up really well for me throughout the day and while my oils will still break through by the end of the day…its not bad enough to make me love this any less. 🙂

I have been eying this foundation for years! I’m not even joking! It wasn’t until this year that I finally tried it and I don’t know why I waited so long — it really is a fantastic foundation! I shared about it in my Spring favorites and I still continue to reach for it through the fall and winter. It’s a bit thicker and heavier coverage than the Pro-Matte, which makes it great for special occasions when I want to look extra flawless. This is also a foundation I recommended during the Sephora VIB / VIB Rouge sale. 🙂

Concealers

I’ve been using this product for well over a year and, while I am always trying new concealers, I constantly go back to this tried-and-true. The main reason I love this one so much is because it feels very light on the skin, but still gives great coverage. I have several different shades in this concealer that I use for several different jobs — from blemish conceal, face highlighting, to even contouring. It is absolutely fantastic and layers beautifully over foundation and never — ever — feels cakey! If you don’t own this…you have GOT to try it!

Maybelline just does it right when it comes to concealers! This one is also BOMB! Comparing it to the Fit Me!, this concealer is a bit thicker and gives more coverage. But at the same time it feels moisturizing on. Which is why I love to use this concealer for my under eyes. I took the sponge off of my concealer and I feel like I waste less product this way — and I just, personally, didn’t like using the sponge anyways. 🙂

Setting Powders

This powder is A-MAZ-ING not only because of how well it performs, but because of how affordable it is! It’s fantastic! I mentioned this in my original Top 10 Makeup Products I shared in 2014, and I am still using the same container. It lasts forever! This stuff is PERFECT for baking, if you are into that like I am. I have very oily skin and using this helps my makeup look better and last longer. Also, while it is a very fine powder, it isn’t as fine as some other loose powders. I have tried a few that are just SO fine, I have to hold my breath when I use it and I STILL get it up my nose and choke on it. That can’t be good for you! Haha, so yes, this product is very fine, but not so fine it’ll smother you to death. 😛

Sorry for the shattered powder! I dropped it the day before and the remnants around the edges shattered. Just means it’s time to buy a new one — making it my third pan of this stuff. Again, this should be enough proof as to why this is in my “best of beauty” favorites. 🙂 It’s extremely fine and this is the powder I reach for when I don’t feel like baking. 🙂 I use the translucent shade, if you are wondering, and it doesn’t give me a white cast in pictures.

I no longer have this product in my collection to show you. 🙁 I used it up in record time and plan to purchase a second one soon. It came in a QVC TSV towards the beginning of 2016 and once I started using it…I just couldn’t stop! It is so fine and I loved the way my skin looked when I would set my makeup with this. Loved it and can’t wait to have it again!

Blushes

I enjoy all the colors I reviewed in the Color Source Buildable line, but Tinge is one I purchased afterwards and it is by far my favorite! I usually like to keep my cheek color very neutral, which is why I find Tinge so perfect for me. It brings color back to my cheeks, but it’s so soft and natural you almost don’t notice it. And THAT is what I like. 🙂

I have the color in Heavenly, but I can’t find that shade on the site, so I think it might be discontinued. But I do love the formula, so I figured I would still mention it. I was sent a variety of Sigma products last year and this blush was among them. The packaging isn’t anything impressive, but the product itself is fantastic. Like I said, the formula is nicely pigmented and blends beautifully. The color itself, of course, I love because it is soft and neutral, but still has color to it. It’s a bit pricey for the amount of product you get…but I have been using it all year long so I had to mention it. 🙂

I can’t believe I forgot to grab this blush when I was taking pictures! Regardless, I have to tell you about it! The packaging is beautiful with the rose detail, but I didn’t purchase it until this past year…and I fell hard! Not necessarily because it has the best formula. It feels a bit dry and not a lot of product comes up when you swatch it…but on your face it is gorgeous! Because it isn’t the most pigmented you can really go ham without overdoing it. I use it frequently in my one-minute Instagram face tutorials, so follow me there to see it in action! I mentioned it in a favorites back in June and I am still using it today — so glad I finally picked this beauty up!

Bronzers

I purchased this solely because of the packaging and presentation! 😛 I love the detail work in the powder and the compact itself is very heavy and well made. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this bronzer, but I loved it so much I ended up writing an in-depth review. You can tell that I’ve already made a dent in this thing. I’ll miss the detail work when it’s gone! 🙁

Eyeshadows

I love all LORAC PRO palettes and each of their Mega limited edition releases…but the Mega PRO 3 is special. It is the PERFECT nude palette. You have lots of shimmers that range from nude, to pink, to brown. The mattes have several transitions, a brown, and a black. Check out my review if you want to see swatches and eye look inspiration. No joke, I could just have this palette and be set for life (…not that I would ever stick to only one palette…but you know what I mean! 🙂 ) I hate that you can no longer get this palette anymore — I hope they bring it back to their permanent line, or at least for a short time like they did with the Mega PRO 2!

I had purchased the original Tartelette palette, but wasn’t that impressed and so thought to pass on their second one. But after seeing people continue to rave about the palette months after it came out…I finally caved and bought it. And I am so glad I did! The mattes are very pigmented, soft, and blend nicely. The shimmers aren’t anything intense or metallic, but they give a beautiful sheen to the eyelid. I shared a review back in May if you want to see swatches and eye look inspirations. Every look I create using this palette I am always super happy with.

Mascaras

This mascara and I go way back! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ve probably seen the original review on this mascara…and then you’ve noticed it in my Top 10 IT Cosmetics Recommendations…Top 10 Sephora Recommendations…and even a Dupe or Dud! I don’t typically wear false lashes, so I like to get as much length and volume out of my lashes as I can. This is a great first step — to prime your lashes for a more volumizing mascara. It curls great and coats my lashes from root to tip. If you have light-colored lashes, you need to try a mascara like this. It’s life-changing!

I don’t go for Covergirl often, but this mascara has so much hype on Youtube that I finally caved and purchased it. Little did I know I would be including it in my best of beauty from 2016, huh? 😛 I use it the same way as the tightline mascara. It separates and curls my lashes so quickly and never clumps. It isn’t a mascara I would just wear on it’s own, but it has become a favorite first step in my mascara routine! 🙂

Lipsticks

I reviewed these shortly after they released back in January and have been loving them ever since! You guys know I am not much of a lipgloss person. These, however are the perfect meld of lipstick and lipgloss. I love that they have somewhat of a matte finish to them, but they still give some moisture and life to your lips if they’re feeling dry. All the shades are lovely but my two favorites are Statement Nude and Nude Allude.

Another lipstick that I discovered this year — I stumbled across this brand on Instagram and after trying their creamy matte lipsticks…I fell in love. See my review for swatches of all the colors I own, but the shade Posh is definitely my favorite. The perfect nude for my skintone — I featured it in my Top 5 Nude lipsticks! They are matte — which you know I love — but they are extremely comfortable and glide onto the lips so easily.

The Katy Kat Matte lipstick line is really good — at least the three I’ve tried — but my favorite from this past year is a Walmart exclusive called Purrsian Pink. The formula reminds me of the Mellow Cosmetics creamy matte ones in that it looks matte, but feels very moisturizing. The shade is the perfect pinky-nude type for my skintone — thus why I have been reaching for it ever since I purchased it. 🙂

The Always On liquid lipsticks from Smashbox was, hands down, my favorite liquid lipstick formula of the year. I have lip swatches of all the shades I own in my review, but my two favorite shades are Stepping Out and Drivers Seat. They are great neutral shades and I’ve been wearing them so much this fall and winter.

WHEW!! That was a lot to talk about! Did you make it to the end? It’s so hard to keep a post like this short and sweet — we are talking about favorites from the ENTIRE YEAR, after all! 🙂

Did we share any favorites this past year? What are some of your best of beauty from 2016? Share with me in the comments below!

Some products were sent for editorial consideration. Some affiliate links are used. Any questions about my disclosure, please read here. Thank you for your support!

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Comments

So difficult to narrow down makeup faves, but I love your picks. I own several Lorac palettes and I adore them, but I don’t have the Mega Pro3. I can see why you love it. I don’t have Tarte’s Clay in Bloom but the Swamp Queen just arrived on Saturday and it looks like a beauty too.

I am so behind but I am planning on doing this type of post as well. I just started my list and I find the whole thing overwhelming because I have so many favorites, ha!!! You had some awesome goodies listed above!

I hope your roller coaster life ends smoothly! I have been using most of the Lorac pro palettes for years & agree … you almost do not need anything else ! My absolute go to concealer is still IT! I love her line from the IT no foundation , concealer, highlighter & blush! The pressed powder is the BEST! I might have to try the Urban Decay- Naked

Thank you, Jan! It has, for the most part. I am able to breathe and keep my sanity, at least! 😛

I agree, LORAC and IT Cosmetics make so many quality products! LORAC PRO palettes will always have my heart — no matter what! They’re always the first palette I recommend! The IT Cosmetics powders are amazing and I love that they come in two different formula, for those with oily and dry skin. My mom uses the illuminating powder and I always things it gives such a healthy, natural glow to her face. 🙂